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JAMES B. YOUNG, MAYOR
Twenty-Seventh Annual Report
OF THE
CITY OF ROCHESTER
NEW HAMPSHIRE
TL
22
RED
E
ROCHESTER
CI
. TOWN
ZED 1737
CIT
91
YCH
For the Year Ending December 31st Nineteen Hundred and Eighteen
ROCHESTER PRINTING COMPANY ROCHESTER, N. H.
Inaugural Address By Mayor JAMES B. YOUNG
Gentlemen of the City Council:
We are once more assembled for the purpose of entering upon the work of a new year. The year of 1918 will go down in history as one in which there have been many changes. Our country having entered into the conflict to assist in making this world a fitting place in which to live and where true Democracy may prevail, we may well be proud of the results that have been attained and the part that we, as Americans, have taken in affairs to reach the desired results. Rochester has great reason to be proud of its part in this work. Three hundred and forty-seven of our boys have entered the service and have done their part in one way or another. Some of them are buried in the fields of France. While we regret their loss yet we should ever keep their memory green in our hearts. I would suggest that when the boys come home or when there are enough home to make it an object that our citizens should do something to celebrate their home- coming and to show our appreciation of their efforts for the cause of Liberty and right.
During the past year it has been impossible to do all that was planned at the first of the year, but there has been much done that does not make a showing until the reports are printed.
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ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCE.
The finances of the city are in excellent condition. At the commencement of the year, there was out- standing $74,683.00 in notes of the city. Of this amount $22,680.00 was exchanged for Bonds of the City, and the remainder $52,000.00 in Bonds was sold to Harris Forbes & Co. of Boston and the note holders were paid their money.
There has been purchased $10,000.00 of Water Bonds and the $14,000.00 of Municipal Bonds that was held by the Water Department and retired in July has been re-invested, in Bonds paying approximately four and one-half per cent. City Hall Bonds amounting to $5,000.00 has been paid and also a note for $2,000.00 due from the Highway Department. This makes a total of $31,000.00 of the City's indebtedness that has been taken care of this year. Practically all depart- ments have kept within their appropriation this year.
The following is a statement of the present finan- cial condition :
FINANCIAL STATEMENT, JAN. 1, 1918.
DEBIT.
Municipal bonds,
$196,000 00
City hall bonds,
39,000 00
Checks out unpaid,
1,986 47
Amount due water works on account,
6,312 97
$243,299 44
CREDIT.
B. & M. stock,
$ 800 00
Due on sundry accounts,
635 04
5
CITY OF ROCHESTER
Due on collector's list, 1918,
4,868 56
Cash in hands of treasurer,
27,345 10
$ 33,648 70
Net indebtedness, exclusive of water
bonds,
$209,648 49
Water bonds outstanding, 150,000 00
As a sinking fund there is deposited to the credit of water bonds outstanding, $14,000.00.
POLICE.
The Police Department during the year has per- formed its part in a manner that I believe meets with the approval of all who believe in law and order. Owing to the fact that the Prohibition law has gone into effect, there has been fewer arrests for drunken- ness and as a result there has been less revenue earned. But we believe that our citizens had rather pay more taxes for the support of the department than to have our streets crowded with drunks and rowdies.
ROADS, BRIDGES AND DRAINS.
In this department there has not been so much work done as was planned at the commencement of the year owing to the scarcity of help. Only necessary repairs have been made. There has been some new equipment added which will make the work of the de- partment much easier, and it can be taken care of more economically. At the first of the year I recommended using oil on our streets instead of sprinkling, but the price of oil made this plan not practical, so that the old system was continued. The motor truck owned by the
la
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ANNUAL REPORT
department has shown that it is a practical thing to have in the department, making, as it does, three and four trips to one for the teams. I would recommend that we dispose of at least two teams and invest in another truck. By so doing I believe that better re- sults can be obtained, and that it will not cost so much to do the work as at present. The bridge on Bridge Street is in a condition that will demand that some- thing be done to it in the Spring. I would recommend that if the steel, that would enter into the construction, can be obtained at a reasonable price, that this bridge be made of cement and if this is done it means that very few repairs will be needed for a number of years. Summer, North Main and Portland Streets are in very bad condition and something should be done to improve them. Whitehall Swamp road should receive atten- tion as very little has been done there for a long time and conditions are bad. I would recommend that this road receive attention and that a rock base be put in and the road be raised and made in such a manner that the water will readily drain from it.
SURFACE SEWERS.
The sewer on Winter Street has been waiting for two years and should be laid this year as conditions are very bad in that section. The sewer on North Main Street should be relaid as it is at the present time, it does not answer the purpose for which it was in- tended. The sewer on Lincoln Street should be at- tended to and made practical. All of these recom- mendations are made with the proviso that labor and material can be obtained at a price that will warrant their being done.
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CITY OF ROCHESTER
SHADE TREES, PARKS AND COMMONS.
Rochester has a great many small parks within its limit which require considerable attention and the amount of money appropriated is hardly adequate to their needs. During the last year Mr. E. F. Twombly and Mrs. Dunlap, heirs of the late J. F. Twombly, have given to the city another park at the upper part of the city. This park contains about four acres of land and the main object for which it was given was that the boys of Rochester might have a suitable place in which to go in bathing. Some work will be neces- sary at this place to make it fit for use.
WATER WORKS AND SEWERS.
Very little needs be said in regard to this depart- ment as it is the only self-supporting department we have. Financially, it pays a little better than $6,000 per year, above expenses. The time will come when the people of Rochester will appreciate to a greater extent, than at the present, the wisdom of those who advocated its purchase.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Fire department this year has shown its usual efficiency. During the year the permanent men with the motor truck have attended to nearly all the calls and by so doing much wear and tear on the re- mainder of the apparatus has been saved. Seven hundred feet of new hose has been purchased. The fire stations throughout the city are in need of consid- erable repairs, especially Cocheco and Torrent Houses.
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ANNUAL REPORT
I believe that there should be a small amount appropri- ated each year for this purpose.
SCHOOLS.
The need of good schools in every city and town is something that is very important, and I believe that the citizens of Rochester appreciate this fact as much as those of any other city or town in the State and are willing to pay for the same if they can see results. I have heard it expressed quite frequently that for the amount of money expended we are not getting the results that we should expect. Whether this is true or not, I am not prepared to say, but I do believethat when a scholar graduates from our schools, He or She should be able to show proficiency in the studies that they have undertaken and I believe that we should demand thor- oughness in this department as well as in any other in the city. For your guidance I would offer the follow- ing figures as given in the reports of other cities in New Hampshire as to the amount appropriated for the support of schools. Also the number of pupils, popu- lation, and the amount per pupil in 1917:
No. Pupils
Population
Appropriation
Per Pupil
Keene,
2,049
11,000
$ 69,928.00
$ 34.13
Somersworth,
662
6,704
23,757.77
35.90
Laconia,
11,500
42,851.95
43.04
Concord,
2,000
22,000
124,355.82
62.18
Franklin,
741
6,132
30,625.00
41.33
Portsmouth,
2,243
11,500
68,500.00
30.55
Berlin,
1,400
15,000
50,000.00
35.78
Rochester,
. 1,302
10,000
40,000.00
30.64
These figures are for the amount appropriated by
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CITY OF ROCHESTER
the cities and does not include the extra received from the Literary Fund, Dog Tax and Tuitions. You will observe by these figures that Rochester is the lowest per pupil with the exception of Portsmouth. I wish to call also, your attention to the different amounts paid to your teachers at the present time and the amounts that the finance committee of the schools wish to pay this year.
Present Schedule
Regular Schedule Proposed Schedule
First year,
$450
$450
$550
Second year,
450
475
550
Third year,
460
500
600
Fourth year,
480
525
625
Fifth year, max.,
525
550
650
Maximum,
550
550
650
Principals,
600
660
750
The present schedule is due to a vote that in pass- ing from an old to a new schedule (the regular sched- ule above) no teacher should receive an advance of more than $50. Fifty dollars added to the various salaries brought them to the figures noted in the pres- ent schedule above.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
This institution is one that is of particular value to our citizens and is worthy of our best support. On the shelves of the library can be found books dealing with all subjects. Our school children, desiring to obtain light upon any matter connected with their studies, can do so whenever they wish. As I men- tioned in my Inaugural last year, the library appro- priation has never been exceeded but once in the his-
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ANNUAL REPORT
tory of the institution. This is an example that other departments might well copy after. I believe that we should make an addition to the appropriation this year.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion I wish to return my thanks to all officials of the city with whom I have been connected. Our relations have been very harmonious and I assure you I appreciate the many kindnesses shown me by all during the year just past. With best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year let. us all firmly de- termine to do our part towards making this year a . success in every way possible.
City Government
As Organized January 1, 1919
MAYOR, JAMES B. YOUNG. ·
COUNCILMEN,
Ward One
MYLO M. SINCLAIR MOSES H. JACOBS CHARLES S. CLARK
Ward Two
NATHANIEL TASKER HENRY L. OSBORNE JOHN F. CONRAD
HARRY H. MEADER
Ward Three
FREDERICK A. HAMILTON ERNEST W. BICKFORD
Ward Four
ONESPHORE LACASSE FORTINATE GINGRAS J. E. A. BILODEAU
Ward Five
DANA S. ROBERTS CHARLES W. WENTWORTH GEORGE T. MCDUFFEE
Ward Six
JOHN M. HUBBARD ALBERT B. HUNTER FRED F. SEAVEY
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ANNUAL REPORT
City Clerk-Frank E. Hussey.
City Treasurer-John L. Copp. City Solicitor-Elmer J. Smart. Collector of Taxes-Gilbert F. Shaw.
Street Commissioner-George T. McDuffee.
Superintendent of Water Works and Sewers-J. Frank Ellis.
Marshal-George H. Magoon.
Assistant Marshal-Isaac W. Rankin.
Night Watch-Felix Sanfacon, Jr.
Police at Gonic-Frederick A. Hamilton.
.
Police at East Rochester-Herbert Preston. Chief Engineer of Fire Department-John F. Nute. First Assistant Engineer-Wilbur E. Horne. Second Assistant Engineer-Peter McShane.
Third Assistant Engineer-Charles S. Clark. Fourth Assistant Engineer-Louis M. Richardson. Sanitary Officer-John I. Rankin.
Overseer of the Poor-Forrest L. Keay.
City Physician-Dudley L. Stokes.
Board of Health-Forrest L. Keay, John I. Rankin, and Dudley L. Stokes.
Assessors -- Charles W. Evans, John S. Kimball, and A. Gaspard Gelinas.
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CITY OF ROCHESTER
Plumbers' Examining Board-Albert P. Covey, Dud- ley L. Stokes, John I. Rankin.
Trustees of Public Library-Mayor James B. Young, Harry H. Meader, John Young, H. L. Worcester, Willis McDuffee, Fred P. Meader, Sidney B. Hayes.
Trustees of Trust Fund-Cecil C. Shaw, Burt R. Coop- er, John S. Kimball.
Manager of Opera House-William A. Hanscam.
Special Police -- H. L. Osborne, Frank S. Edgerly, Hor- ace Mills, Edward Josselyn, Nelson Hatch, Martin E. Jones, Ernest R. Masse, Charles A. Emerson, R. L. Priestley, Alwood F. Smith, Felix Hughes, Cyrille Vachon, F. S. Grant, William A. Martin, Venant Perreault, George M. Rankin, A. F. Pot- vin, John Lowe, H. H. Clough, J. William Drapeau, William N. Bell, Horace F. Haynes, James L. Ricker, William O. Allen, Joseph M. Cooley, Lewis Howard, W. A. Hanscam, Clarence Andrews, Everett Chadbourne, John I. Rankin, E. L. Teb- betts, George D. Dame, I. Belmont Allen, Ones- phore Lacasse, George Lorendo, J. Harry Pa- quette, Milton Johnson, Walter J. Seavey, Benja- min F. Johnson, P. L. Callaghan.
Janitor-William A. Hanscam.
Assistant Janitor -- Frank D. Stevens.
Surveyors of Wood and Lumber-Nahum Woodman, Sidney B. Hayes, Louis Cartier, Robert Fownes, Charles Tebbetts, Oro W. Goodale, Levi Harmon, Arthur Davis, David Shields, Harry H. Meader, George Bunker, Nathaniel Davis, Arthur W. Bar- ber, Robert H. Kaler.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Weighers of Hay, Straw and Coal-Harry D. Cham- pion, Isaac C. Evans, Frank Glidden, Hubert C. Goodwin, Albert E. Kleeb, Winslow W. Otis, Charles D. Peck, James M. Rand, Walter J. Sea- vey, Chester H. Smith, Frank L. Wing, Joseph E. Woodes, Winslow R. McAllister, Roland Joy, Fred Rodier, Fred Ricker, Alice F. Bradley, George E. Greenfield, William J. Blair, Frank Lord, Will Goss, Thomas Gilbert.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Finance-Mayor, Meader, Seavey.
Shade Trees, Parks and Commons-Mayor, Sinclair, Roberts.
Public Instruction-Mayor, Jacobs, Roberts.
Claims and Accounts-Mayor, Tasker, Lacasse.
Public Buildings-Wentworth, Hamilton, Clark. Fire Department-Tasker, Hubbard, Sinclair.
Roads, Bridges and Drains-Bickford, Osborne, Sin- clair.
Water Works and Sewers-Meader, Jacobs, Hunter. Street Lights-Sinclair, Hamilton, Bilodeau. Printing-Gingras, Conrad, Lacasse. Elections and Returns-Lacasse, Gingras, Conrad. Legal Affairs-Mayor, Bickford, Bilodeau.
Bills in their Second Reading and Enrolled Ordinances -Wentworth, Clark, Hubbard.
Purchasing Committee-Mayor, Wentworth, Seavey. Police-Mayor, Hunter, Osborne.
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CITY OF ROCHESTER
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANNUAL APPRO- PRIATIONS FOR 1919.
Sampson Post,
$ 150 00
East Rochester Public Library,
200 00
County Tax,
17,948 65
Public Library,
4,500 00
Fuel for City Hall,
2,000 00
Gypsy Moths,
300 00
Insurance on City Hall,
1,000 00
Street Lights,
8,500 00
Sidewalks,
1,000 00
Health Department,
200 00
Parks and Commons,
500 00
City Hall Bonds,
5,000 00
Interest on City Hall Bonds,
1,560 00
City Poor and Soldiers' Aid,
3,000 00
. Schools,
48,000 00
Police,
4,000 00
Salaries,
9,500 00
Fire Department,
9,500 00
Highways,
23,000 00
State Highway Maintenance,
3,000 00
Deep Sewers,
1,000 00
Surface Sewers,
1,500 00
Street Sprinkling,
1,000 00
Miscellaneous,
2,000 00
Municipal Bonds,
14,000 00
Total,
$162,358 65
Important Resolutions and Orders Passed by the City Council
RESOLUTION FOR PRINTING CITY REPORT.
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Rochester:
That the City Clerk be instructed to prepare for the printer all matter that is to go into the City Re- port and that the Committee on Printing be instructed to advertise for bids for printing the same and that the printing be let to the lowest responsible bidder.
Passed January 1, 1919.
RESOLUTION TO RAISE MONEY IN ANTICIPA- TION OF TAXES.
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Rochester:
That if found necessary, the Committee on Finance be authorized to hire on notes of the city a sum not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars in antici- pation of taxes.
Passed January 21, 1919.
RESOLUTION FOR ANNUAL APPROPRIATION.
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Rochester:
That for the support of the various departments for the year 1919, there be levied by taxation the sum
17
CITY OF ROCHESTER
of one hundred and sixty-two thousand, three hundred fifty-eight dollars and sixty-five cents ($162,358.65), and the Assessors are directed to assess that amount, with such overlay as may be thought necessary.
Passed January 21, 1919.
RESOLUTION TO RAISE MONEY IN THE SPRINKLING PRECINCT.
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Rochester:
That the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars be raised by taxation within the sprinkling precinct in accordance with the act of the Legislature creating said precinct, and the assessors are directed to assess that amount.
Passed January 21, 1919.
AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE, RELATING TO SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION.
.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Roch- ester as follows:
Amend Section 5, Page 38, of Chapter XI of the City Ordinances, relating to the construction of side- walks, by adding thereto and immediately after the word based, in the thirteenth line as follows:
"Any property owner requesting Sidewalk Con- struction other than earth or cinders, shall upon the proper survey, pay to the City Clerk the amount as determined in accordance with the provisions of said paragraph. So that said paragraph, as amended, shall read as follows :
"The Mayor and City Council, upon petition, may
2
18
ANNUAL REPORT
construct sidewalks in said city with or without edge- stones and covered with any appropriate material, and for that purpose may widen and straighten any high- way as in other cases, except that the notice of pro- ceeding shall state, that the construction of the side- walk is contemplated. In constructing such side- walks the City Council may assess upon the owners of the property abutting on such street, a portion not ex- ceeding one-half of the expense of constructing the same, and the amount so assessed upon such owners shall be reasonable, and proportional to the benefits accruing to the land upon which such assessment is based.
Any property owner requesting sidewalk con- struction other than cinders or earth, shall upon the proper survey pay to the City Clerk the amount as determined in accordance with the provisions of said paragraph.
All ordinances and parts of ordinances incon- sistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed and this ordinance shall take effect upon its passage.
Passed January 23, 1918.
AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE, RELATING TO THE SALARY OF CITY CLERK.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Roch- ester, as follows:
That we amend Section 1 of Chapter XXIV, by striking out the whole of paragraphs 3 and 4, and sub- stituting in place thereof a new paragraph to read as follows :
"The City Clerk, twelve hundred dollars, and an assistant in the clerk's office to be engaged by the
19
CITY OF ROCHESTER
clerk on the following schedule: said assistant to be paid four hundred dollars the first year, five hundred dollars the second year and six hundred dollars the third year. Six hundred dollars to be the maximum salary for this position. When a new assistant is en- gaged, the same schedule shall be followed. The City Clerk and Assistant to be paid monthly from the Sal- ary Department."
All ordinances and parts of ordinances incon- sistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed and this ordinance shall take effect January 1, 1918.
Passed February 12, 1918.
AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE, RELATING TO THE PAY OF LABORERS.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Roch- ester, as follows:
Amend paragraph 6 on page 62 of Section 1 of Chapter XXIV of the City Ordinances, relating to laborers, by striking out the words "twenty-five" in the second and fifth lines thereof, and inserting in place thereof the words fifty, so that said paragraph as amended shall read as follows: "All day laborers of the city receiving a total amount of less than two dollars and fifty cents per day for all services of every kind rendered for the city, shall hereafter be paid the sum of two dollars and fifty cents per day as full compensation for all services rendered. Nine hours, exclusive of the time in going to and from work, shall constitute a day's work. Preference to be given to residents of the city."
All ordinances and parts of ordinances incon-
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ANNUAL REPORT
sistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed and this ordinance shall take effect upon its passage.
Passed February 12, 1918 ..
AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE, RELATING TO THE SALARY OF THE CITY TREASURER.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Roch- ester, as follows:
That we amend Section 1 of Chapter XXIV, by striking out the words "one hundred and fifty dollars" in the fifth paragraph thereof and substituting in place thereof the words "two hundred and fifty dol- lars" so that said paragraph as amended shall read as follows :
"The City Treasurer, two hundred and fifty dol- lars, payable quarterly from the Salary Department."
All ordinances and parts of ordinances inconsist- ent with this ordinance are hereby repealed and this ordinance shall take effect Jan. 1, 1918.
Passed February 12, 1918.
AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE, RELATING TO THE PAY OF CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Roch- ester, as follows:
That paragraph 16 of Section 1, of Chapter XXIV . of the City Ordinances, as amended July 11, 1917, be amended by striking out the whole of said paragraph, and inserting in place thereof the following:
"The Chief Engineer of the Fire Department one
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CITY OF ROCHESTER
thousand dollars, the first auto driver nine hundred dollars, and the second auto driver eight hundred twenty-two dollars, per year, payable monthly from the Fire Department."
All ordinances inconsistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed and this ordinance shall take effect upon its passage.
Passed February 12, 1918.
AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE, RELATING TO CHANGING THE NUMBER OF MEN IN THE J. H. ELA HOSE CO.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Roch- ester, as follows:
Amend Section 1 of Chapter VIII, by striking out the word "eleven" in the sixteenth line thereof and in- serting in place thereof the word "ten" so that said paragraph as amended shall read as follows:
SECTION 1. The Committee on Fire Department shall exercise a general supervision over the Fire De- partment and all property, material and appurte- nances belonging to the same; subject to the approval of the City Council, said committee shall have the su- pervision and expenditure of the appropriation made for said department, its improvement and maintenance. The Fire Department shall consist of a chief engineer and of four assistant engineers, one of whom shall re- side at East Rochester, one at Gonic and the other two at Rochester village, and hose men and hook and ladder men, to be divided into companies as follows : Cocheco Hose Co., No. 1, ten men at Rochester Village ; Torrent Hose Co., No. 2, ten men at Rochester Village; A. D. Whitehouse Hose Co., No. 3, fifteen men at Gonic ; Lar-
2a
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ANNUAL REPORT
kin Harrington Hose Co., No. 4, fifteen men at East Rochester ; J. H. Ela Hose Co., No. 5, ten men at Roch- ester Village; Charles W. Bickford Chemical Hook and Ladder Truck, No. 6, ten men at Rochester Village. Said engineers shall constitute a board of engineers, and shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the fire wards.
All ordinances and parts of ordinances incon- sistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed, and this ordinance shall take effect upon its passage.
Passed February 12, 1918.
AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE, RELATING TO DISORDERLY HOUSES.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Roch- ester, as follows:
That Section 1 of Chapter 13 of the City Ordi- nances be and hereby is repealed.
All ordinances and parts of ordinances incon- sistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Passed February 12, 1918.
RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE PURCHASE OF ROAD MACHINERY.
Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Rochester:
That the Committee on Roads, Bridges and Drains in conjunction with the Purchasing Committee be authorized to expend a sum not exceeding $5,000 for improved road machinery as they shall deem necessary to eliminate the excessive expense and improve the existing conditions in road work.
Passed February 12, 1918.
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CITY OF ROCHESTER
AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE, RELATING TO KEEPING SWINE IN THE COMPACT PART OF THE CITY.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Roch- ester, 'as follows:
SECTION 1. That for the duration of the present war all ordinance and parts of ordinances forbidding the keeping of swine within the compact part of the city, be hereby suspended.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance shall take effect upon its passage.
All ordinances and parts of ordinances incon- sistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Passed March 5, 1918.
AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE, RELATING TO THE SALARY OF THE JANITOR.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Roch- ester, as follows:
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